Dr. Jones and the Spitting Camel - Link to Alaska Cruise TR 9/18

[eandesmom]

Okay, hands down my favorite part of your afternoon was hanging out at the Lone Palm Airport and drinking margaritas! That's the perfect way to spend a hot afternoon!!!

That was my favorite part too! Suffice to say while it was the first visit to the Lone Palm Airport, it wasn't the last!

Nice way to get out of the heat.

Can't beat a AAA discount and 10% from the pass.

Interesting show and yup just for the boys.

The AAA discount was just wonderful. Of course I used the "savings" to justify buying more things like random cute sundresses but it worked for me!



We did drink a water for each margarita though (being the responsible folks that we are)

Finally caught up! phew!

HP really does look cool. We probably won't be there for a couple years...we had a special family screening through work of the last HP film and I took Katie, even though neither of us had seen any of the other films. She didn't even last 15 minutes. We had to make a quick exit once the snake slithered onto the table to presumably eat the woman laying on it. After that, Katie has absolutely no interest in anything HP!

Ah, that darn basilisk. Fortunately Harry can speak snake so it's not as bad as it seems but I admit, there are dark scary parts in each of the movies and even though I've read the books, more than once, I don't like that snake either! Or the spiders from the first book but I digress.

As she gets older, and if she reads the books, she might. All is not lost.

It is interesting seeing inside another Park. But do you keep comparing it in your head to Disney?

It's funny. Honestly at IOA, no. It is so NOT Disney but so themed that you get wrapped up in it's own coolness. It's not the same but there is a lot about it we like equally as well. An apples and oranges kind of thing. At Universal, a little, but it surprised me and in a good way.

I actually compared far more last year when we were at DCA and DTD CA and at Knott's.

I really enjoyed seeing Sea World again in 2008, as I hadn't been there in about 20 years. However, the entire time I was there I just kept comparing it to Disney. Most of the times it came up short, except when comparing crowds.

Well the HP crowds are something else but the rest of both parks weren't so bad. Super Hero Island is always nuts but just like HP it was a ton better on Sunday. I am really glad we had 3 days for both parks, I know we won't next time.

 

[eandesmom]

A Cast?????? How LONG is that gonna be on? I hope it's off before cruise time....or at least changed to a water proof cast. I guess it could be worse - it could be a leg.

What happened?

Boy breaks boards

Boards break boy



Evan had his 2nd degree international black belt test for Tae Kwon Do on Friday/Sat. It's a 2 day, pretty intense test. Written, Fitness, Forms, Sparring and Board Breaking. The board breaking is done in 2 parts, mystery break and power break. Mystery break is where 10 people surround the candidate while their eyes are closed and position themselves randomly with boards. The candidate has to open their eyes and decide how to break each board, without hesitation, one after another. It's pretty darn cool!

The final step is what they call "power break". They place your new rank belt under one board. The candidates then "add value" to their belt by adding additional boards (or bricks!). Evan attempted 2 large, 3 medium and 2 small boards...at once. And, unfortunately moved the stanchion bricks in a little bit, making all those boards a bit stronger.

The fact that he was in the final group, with 3 higher ranked adults/teens might have added to his number of board choices...they were all doing bricks but at the end of the day, he made the choice.

And it didn't go so well. He got them all broken. Eventually. I'm incredibly proud of how he handled it, in obvious pain, but pushed through and got it done without losing it. Wise choice or not it showed a perseverance and commitment that was pretty cool to see...while I cringed.

However, he fractured his pinky in the process. We could have done a waterproof cast but it would have meant waiting to order the special material. Instead we decided (he decided) to go ahead with the regular one. He will be in it for a month and then we re-look at it. He could most likely go without at that point but we will probably do a smaller support waterproof one for a couple more weeks after that as he really wants to do mountain bike camp while we are at Whistler and the hand doctor and I think protecting it a little bit longer is a good idea. He will have it all off by the cruise though, thank goodness.

I have a friend who owns a cast protector sleeve thing that pumps the air all out and creates a fully watertight seal that her daughter used and we will be borrowing it for the next month. It will make him look like Gumby on one arm but given the limited time he'll need it, it should be fine.

I do have to buy silver pens today, they were out of the colors he wanted so he's got a black cast...which makes signing it hard! I figure a black cast for a black belt is pretty appropriate.

Seriously though, I've filled out 24 pages of paperwork between his 3 visits (pediatrician, xray place, hand doctor) and then Eric's eye appointment and between co-pays and Eric needing new glasses am feeling really broke (and that I've been living at doctor's offices) and it's only Wednesday. Hopefully my appointment today will go well (2nd screen on a mammogram...I ALWAYS have to go back but it doesn't lessen the stress) and that there is no more paperwork and they bill it so it's covered and not part of my deductible. Thankfully Evan had already met his or I'd be re-looking at our cruise excursions about now!

 

[glennbo123]

Sorry about Evan's pinkie, but congrats to him on earning another belt!!!

Regarding the last chapter, I had to chuckle at all of the pictures of Jeff hanging out with the sea plane.

 

[Poolrat]

Boy breaks boards

Boards break boy



Evan had his 2nd degree international black belt test for Tae Kwon Do on Friday/Sat. It's a 2 day, pretty intense test. Written, Fitness, Forms, Sparring and Board Breaking. The board breaking is done in 2 parts, mystery break and power break. Mystery break is where 10 people surround the candidate while their eyes are closed and position themselves randomly with boards. The candidate has to open their eyes and decide how to break each board, without hesitation, one after another. It's pretty darn cool!

The final step is what they call "power break". They place your new rank belt under one board. The candidates then "add value" to their belt by adding additional boards (or bricks!). Evan attempted 2 large, 3 medium and 2 small boards...at once. And, unfortunately moved the stanchion bricks in a little bit, making all those boards a bit stronger.

However, he fractured his pinky in the process. We could have done a waterproof cast but it would have meant waiting to order the special material. Instead we decided (he decided) to go ahead with the regular one. He will be in it for a month and then we re-look at it. He could most likely go without at that point but we will probably do a smaller support waterproof one for a couple more weeks after that as he really wants to do mountain bike camp while we are at Whistler and the hand doctor and I think protecting it a little bit longer is a good idea. He will have it all off by the cruise though, thank goodness.

I have a friend who owns a cast protector sleeve thing that pumps the air all out and creates a fully watertight seal that her daughter used and we will be borrowing it for the next month. It will make him look like Gumby on one arm but given the limited time he'll need it, it should be fine.

I do have to buy silver pens today, they were out of the colors he wanted so he's got a black cast...which makes signing it hard! I figure a black cast for a black belt is pretty appropriate.

Congrats on the black belt but sorry it took its toll. My Dd broke each arm once and he second time they made a splint from the lo temp plastic to make a clamshell type cast with velcro. This enabled her to take it off for short periods and clean her arm but still functioned as a cast. The Dr. was surprised it went so well and commented that now he could use it on other patients. Her first cast was so misreble I told the DR. he would have to take her home for 3 weeks if he casted it. Thus a new idea was born.

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry about Evan's pinkie, but congrats to him on earning another belt!!!

Thanks! He thinks it was worth it and it looks like we won't have to really change much for him, it's pretty workable thankfully. Not as nice as the last time he fractured his pinky which was just a splint, but not bad all things considered.

Regarding the last chapter, I had to chuckle at all of the pictures of Jeff hanging out with the sea plane.

He was funny, he asked for all the pictures! There may even be more later in the trip, I can't recall.

Since his is all in parts in the garage it's about as close as he will get for a while. Or until one of our Alaska cruise excursions!

Congrats on the black belt but sorry it took its toll. My Dd broke each arm once and he second time they made a splint from the lo temp plastic to make a clamshell type cast with velcro. This enabled her to take it off for short periods and clean her arm but still functioned as a cast. The Dr. was surprised it went so well and commented that now he could use it on other patients. Her first cast was so misreble I told the DR. he would have to take her home for 3 weeks if he casted it. Thus a new idea was born.

That sounds very cool! I can't see it working on fingers the way they have it casted (with his pinky and the one next to it bent) but what a great solution. Twice? Yikes!

 

[tinacaplan]

Sorry about Evan's pinky. But sounds like he handled it all like a champ!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Poor Evan!!! Congrats on his belt, though! Hope all goes well at your appointment!

 

[eandesmom]

Sorry about Evan's pinky. But sounds like he handled it all like a champ!

He did And we've determined that writing and trombone are ok (he was starting private lessons on the later last night) so all is well!

Poor Evan!!! Congrats on his belt, though! Hope all goes well at your appointment!

Thanks Jackie. It did, though it was not without stress. Very glad it's over...for a year anyway.

 

[eandesmom]

For the past 2 days, this had been a recurring question. First from Kendall and then from Evan. At first, I chalked it up to sloppy teenage girl and figured they’d fallen behind the daybed at the YC. Then I figured things had been given to the wrong folks when laundry came back and just packed in the wrong persons suitcase. However, over our first 2 days at the Hard Rock it became apparent…things were missing.

When we got back from the park, as we were getting ready for dinner at the Hard Rock. I had everyone do inventory.

We were missing:

Kendall. 2 pairs of shorts and several pairs of underwear.

Evan. 2 pairs of shorts, one tee

Eric. One polo and one tee

Outside of the EEW factor of the underwear one thing became clear. Every single thing that was missing, besides the undergarments had a few things in common.

1. They were ALL Abercrombie kids or Ambercrombie & Fitch brand
2. They were all NEW. New as in just given on the trip or prior to the trip. Evan’s were the oldest, from his birthday in early June, Kendall’s were also birthday clothes, about 3 weeks old.
3. They had all been worn, and put into the pop up hamper in our room at the YC
4. While doing the laundry, at the YC, it had NEVER been left unattended. (Which sounds like a rather horrible morning to me but go Sandie!)
5. NONE had made it to the laundry, Sandie specifically recalled not seeing any of the items described.

Seriously. Someone stole dirty, high end kids clothes out of the dirty clothes hamper! So, in between getting ready for dinner, I called the YC. I spoke to housekeeping who said nothing had been turned into lost and found. I spoke to security who said they’d look into it. I spoke to the front desk, who gave me some other number to call to file a report.
Over 3 days I must have spent 3+ hours on the phone.

The end result?

A bunch of wasted effort on my end. At the end of the day, without a single apology, Disney did a big fat nothing. In fact, I got a letter about a month after the trip basically saying they were liable for nothing. Which of course I knew and realized it’s a travel hazard but still….I really think it could have been handled better, faster and I dunno…somehow pixie dusted. At the end of the day I swear they didn’t believe me and thought I was making it up.

It did not, however, sour me on the YC at all. I love that place. One smart sneaky housekeeper (I mean really, I was impressed with the ingenuity of it all) does not reflect on the whole. It does however give me pause about bringing that hamper on future trips. Which sucks. I love that hamper and the tidiness of it all. I really want to bring it on the cruise and am paranoid.
So lets say goodbye to the clothes that are no more.

The one that caused the most drama, interestingly enough, Eric’s new polo. New for the trip, worn twice. He LOVED this shirt.

Bye bye birthday shorts and tee that was new for the trip. Evan lost 2 pairs that were virtually identical.

Bye bye shorts. I can’t find a picture of the other pair she lost, they were khaki and I think she'd worn them only once probably on one of the first days when I didn't take much in the way of pictures. That pair I thought she might have left at WL so called there too!

It did leave us in a bit of a bind in the shorts category for Kendall and Evan. They did have enough to get by but when your “favorites” are suddenly gone it can make kids cranky and make them want to shop more than normal at Citywalk. We didn't find a single pair though that would work, despite a few attempts. I seem to recall that each boy lost a couple more tees but honestly it’s all a little bit of a blur.

Then of course there are my clothes worn on this trip that I can’t seem to find but I think that just means I need to purge my closet in a really big way!
But hey, I can look at this picture now in a new light. I’m the only one with an intact oufit!

 

[mom3sonstt]

Definite EEW factor! But - it's another excuse to by DVC points - fewer visits from Mousekeeping! That is so bizarre to root through your dirty laundry, I mean if they want clothes bad enough they could go through your dresser drawers and at least get clean stuff. Maybe they thought you wouldn't wash until you got home and wouldn't notice until you were long gone. I don't see how they could carry so much of that away without being noticed, although I guess if they threw it in a garbage sack first no one would think anything of it. Bizarre! I do love those pop up hampers though, I take a few of them - put a white one and a colored one in the boys room so they can "sort" their clothes as they go, and the same in our room. But we have DVC so we just do the laundry in our room, but it makes it easier to just grab whichever basket I'm working on for that load.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

I am finally caught up! It seems like you have done a lot of updates while I was gone on vacation. First, let me say that I am loving all of the updates about IOA and WWOHP. I can not wait to see all of the Harry Potter stuff, but at the same time, I think we made the right decision to NOT go on our trip back in November. The 7th movie had just come out the week before our trip so we expected it to be crazy busy. Also, now that I am reading about all of the perks you had by staying at their hotels...we would have been the "regular" people standing in massive lines and that sounds like it could have been miserable.

We have been to IOA before. One time, right when it opened. It was pre-Dylan and we went with another couple. Let me tell you, that was one of the best theme park days ever. There was hardly anyone at the park (weird) and we were able to go on every ride multiple times. Spiderman was BY FAR my favorite (and still one of my favorite all time rides), but we seriously went on Hulk about 7 times in a row. We would just get off, walk around and get right back on. Add the Dueling Dragons a few times to that, and it was the perfect thrill rides day. We also went to Poseidon's Fury and I agree with you... a long walk through, vaguely interesting, with some cool water effects.

Your TR had me realizing that I really want to go back there, but I think we will need to wait until Dylan is older. I don't think there is enough for him to do there, and we would have to ride all the major rides separately, since he couldn't go on them.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

OMG! Stealing your dirty clothes! Yuck!

This is why we always stay DVC. I hate people coming into my room when I am not there. While I am sorry Disney did nothing I am not surprised.

Still enjoying your report. Looking forward to reading more.

 

[cdotla]

First off - congrats to Evan, but so sorry to hear about his mishaps. Hope he makes a speedy recovery and that cast comes off quick.

Secondly - EWWWW is right!!! But you are absolutely right - great way not to get caught by stealing the dirties. However, in a strange way, I am somewhat relieved that it wasn't just Kendall's undies , and that other items from E&E were taken too.

I am not a big fan of housekeeping in the 1st place. I never get it. Hate people in my room, around my things. I am always paranoid about someone who has been scrubbing other people's toilets coming in and around my toiletries. I know...I am a complete germ-o-phobe, but after hearing a story like this, even more reason not to get mousekeeping!

Lack of mousekeeping with DVC may be a deterrent to some, but not to me! Once every 3-4 days for a change of sheets and towels is perfectly fine with me, thank you very much!

Also...you know what was weird to me, which I just noticed last month at the Grand? All the housekeepers cleaned the rooms (even the occupied ones) with the doors closed. I always thought the room doors were supposed to be open so that things were transparent, but maybe at the Grand we aren't supposed to see people cleaning toilets.

 

[englishrose47]

That is awful about the stolen clothes !! But maybe the reason for the dirty clothes , it is not as suspicious as opening drawers , could look like she was putting dirties in !!!

 

[glennbo123]

I don't know how somebody can look at their kids, knowing they outfitted them in clothes stolen from somebody else. And it's hard to believe they stole that many items!

 

[MEK]

I wondered if you were going to write about the whole theft thing. I am still dumbfounded that it happened. But I guess the mousekeepers keep gloves on their cart, so they don't mind riffling around through someone's dirty clothes and underwear.

I think its very sad this happened to you, but I think its even sadder that its so important for someone to have name brand clothes that they need to steal them. And do their kids know or is it a "don't ask, don't tell" situation.

Anyway - I suspect that the mousekeeper in question is probably no longer in Disney's employ. Although Disney is not responsible for the theft, they certainly must have policies that allow them to fire someone who keeps getting reported.

 

[natebenma]

Interesting updates!

Congrats to Evan for earning his belt, but what a major bummer! I hope it doesn't impact his activities too much. I hope this week will find fewer visits to doctors/medical facilities for your family.

That is just incredible about the stolen clothes! I remember when you posted discretely about it on the YC/BC board, but no way did you allude to the extent of the theft. That's pretty ballsy (and stupid) of someone to take that much. I believe that the locks on the doors at the resort have tracking information, so they know who has entered the room and when, so at least if you reported it, and if others had similar experiences, that problem employee is probably gone.

We have never had any problems with theft of clothes at any resort, but then again, none of us wear any brand name clothing that is "theft-worthy".

 

[tinacaplan]

Oh, that's sad about the theft. I know it can happen anywhere, including Disneyworld, but you just want to pretend that it can't! I'm guessing that given the brand, said housekeeper wasn't bringing them back to their family, but re-selling them somewhere.

 

[eandesmom]

Definite EEW factor! But - it's another excuse to by DVC points - fewer visits from Mousekeeping! That is so bizarre to root through your dirty laundry, I mean if they want clothes bad enough they could go through your dresser drawers and at least get clean stuff. Maybe they thought you wouldn't wash until you got home and wouldn't notice until you were long gone. I don't see how they could carry so much of that away without being noticed, although I guess if they threw it in a garbage sack first no one would think anything of it. Bizarre! I do love those pop up hampers though, I take a few of them - put a white one and a colored one in the boys room so they can "sort" their clothes as they go, and the same in our room. But we have DVC so we just do the laundry in our room, but it makes it easier to just grab whichever basket I'm working on for that load.

Who knows. They might have taken it over a couple of days for all I know. I do think they thought we wouldn't do laundry and notice until we got home and that's what I mean about being smart about their thieving. Clean stuff in the drawers would have been noticed a lot faster.

Still, even with DVC they are in there every 3 days to clean so you really aren't protected. And, if you do the DDP for part of your nights like we did in May, so it looks like 3 reservations, they come in for each reservation (even though it was obvious it was the same people ). I swear our room was cleaned 4 times in 5 days!

I am finally caught up! It seems like you have done a lot of updates while I was gone on vacation. First, let me say that I am loving all of the updates about IOA and WWOHP. I can not wait to see all of the Harry Potter stuff, but at the same time, I think we made the right decision to NOT go on our trip back in November. The 7th movie had just come out the week before our trip so we expected it to be crazy busy. Also, now that I am reading about all of the perks you had by staying at their hotels...we would have been the "regular" people standing in massive lines and that sounds like it could have been miserable.

It would have been NUTS in November I think. Probably the right call.

We have been to IOA before. One time, right when it opened. It was pre-Dylan and we went with another couple. Let me tell you, that was one of the best theme park days ever. There was hardly anyone at the park (weird) and we were able to go on every ride multiple times. Spiderman was BY FAR my favorite (and still one of my favorite all time rides), but we seriously went on Hulk about 7 times in a row. We would just get off, walk around and get right back on. Add the Dueling Dragons a few times to that, and it was the perfect thrill rides day. We also went to Poseidon's Fury and I agree with you... a long walk through, vaguely interesting, with some cool water effects.

Your TR had me realizing that I really want to go back there, but I think we will need to wait until Dylan is older. I don't think there is enough for him to do there, and we would have to ride all the major rides separately, since he couldn't go on them.

There is a lot of little kid stuff in the Seuss area. We lived there back in 2004. But overall you are right, it is a "older" park. For us it worked in 2004 as there were 20 of us so plenty of people to watch kids while others went on coasters. If it's just the 3 of you, that wouldn't really work as well.

OMG! Stealing your dirty clothes! Yuck!

This is why we always stay DVC. I hate people coming into my room when I am not there. While I am sorry Disney did nothing I am not surprised.

Still enjoying your report. Looking forward to reading more.

Major yuck! Even with DVC they do come in, every 3 days or if you have a split ressie like we did in May, due to the DDP, almost every day! I've had so many things stolen out of hotel rooms over the years I'm a bit immune and know it's a risk you take when you travel. But kids dirty clothes? That was a new low.

First off - congrats to Evan, but so sorry to hear about his mishaps. Hope he makes a speedy recovery and that cast comes off quick.

Secondly - EWWWW is right!!! But you are absolutely right - great way not to get caught by stealing the dirties. However, in a strange way, I am somewhat relieved that it wasn't just Kendall's undies , and that other items from E&E were taken too.

That part is still EEW, I don't get it at all and we were really skeptical that she was really missing underwear, but they were definitely missing...it is a rather ingenious way to steal, though disgusting.

I am not a big fan of housekeeping in the 1st place. I never get it. Hate people in my room, around my things. I am always paranoid about someone who has been scrubbing other people's toilets coming in and around my toiletries. I know...I am a complete germ-o-phobe, but after hearing a story like this, even more reason not to get mousekeeping!

I'm with you. When it's just Jeff and I we tend to have the do no disturb sign out at all times so no one goes in. A tact I need to go back to I guess.

Lack of mousekeeping with DVC may be a deterrent to some, but not to me! Once every 3-4 days for a change of sheets and towels is perfectly fine with me, thank you very much!

Also...you know what was weird to me, which I just noticed last month at the Grand? All the housekeepers cleaned the rooms (even the occupied ones) with the doors closed. I always thought the room doors were supposed to be open so that things were transparent, but maybe at the Grand we aren't supposed to see people cleaning toilets.

I noticed that at the YC, or if the door was open it was BARELY open. Still, even with every 3-4 days, things could get taken.

 

[eandesmom]

I wondered if you were going to write about the whole theft thing. I am still dumbfounded that it happened. But I guess the mousekeepers keep gloves on their cart, so they don't mind riffling around through someone's dirty clothes and underwear.

That's true, I didn't really think about the glove aspect. Still, though, it's disgusting!

I think its very sad this happened to you, but I think its even sadder that its so important for someone to have name brand clothes that they need to steal them. And do their kids know or is it a "don't ask, don't tell" situation.

Well, either they were outfitting their kids or doing it for resale. Who knows but I'd hazard to guess that if they are outfitting their kids they simply say it was left behind in lost and found as I think that stuff eventually goes up for grabs if not claimed. Who knows.

Anyway - I suspect that the mousekeeper in question is probably no longer in Disney's employ. Although Disney is not responsible for the theft, they certainly must have policies that allow them to fire someone who keeps getting reported.

Sadly I am far less sure about that. I didn't feel like Disney took it terribly seriously but who knows. And given that we were there 5 days, who knows what day it happened so it could have been a number of people depending on how the scheduling works.

Interesting updates!

Congrats to Evan for earning his belt, but what a major bummer! I hope it doesn't impact his activities too much. I hope this week will find fewer visits to doctors/medical facilities for your family.

Me too! The only one I'm planning on for this week is back to the eye doctor to pick up Eric's new glasses. I really do need a regular annual for me but ugh, last week wiped me out. It might wait until July. Besides, I need to see how bad I get hit with out of pocket on all this stuff. Between the new glasses, co pays and deductibles it was a brutal week for non budgeted items.

Thankfully it really seems like it will be fine. He's managed to do Kumon (slow but managable), have his first private trombone lesson and write his birthday thank you notes (typed lol). So far, other than not being able to go to sparring, it hasn't really slowed him down. The trick will be deciding what to do at the 1 month mark. Go for a smaller protective one for 2 weeks to make sure he doesn't re-injure it in Whistler, or just go without. Either way he will be fine for the cruise.

That is just incredible about the stolen clothes! I remember when you posted discretely about it on the YC/BC board, but no way did you allude to the extent of the theft. That's pretty ballsy (and stupid) of someone to take that much. I believe that the locks on the doors at the resort have tracking information, so they know who has entered the room and when, so at least if you reported it, and if others had similar experiences, that problem employee is probably gone.

We have never had any problems with theft of clothes at any resort, but then again, none of us wear any brand name clothing that is "theft-worthy".

Maybe. Given that we were there 5 nights and have no idea when it was taken it could be hard to narrow it down. Everything that was taken had been purchased on sale (I refuse to pay full price for kids stuff period and make sure in laws do the same for presents) but it did add up for sure, especially the shorts, Kendall's in particular. I could see certain things as being theft targets but a $10 sale kids tee, just because it has a certain brand on it? Very sad. And despite was housekeeping may have thought, given the volume of certain brands in the kids drawers I couldn't afford upon our return to replace any of it. Evan just got new shorts for his birthday this year to replace the stolen ones and Eric just got a shirt that was similar to his beloved turquoise polo as his new Easter shirt.

Oh, that's sad about the theft. I know it can happen anywhere, including Disneyworld, but you just want to pretend that it can't! I'm guessing that given the brand, said housekeeper wasn't bringing them back to their family, but re-selling them somewhere.

Very possibly although even at resale, you might not get that much for them although they were in mint condition. I used to take the E's stuff to some of those places and it was always interesting what they'd take or not take and how much we'd get. Generally, not a whole lot that's for sure. I'd always feel like I took huge bags in and left with 2 things for each kid, option to use the store credit instead of taking cash as you always get a little more.

Kind of like when we take our books into the used bookstore. We'll have 2-3 huge bags and will get enough credit for each kid to get one new book!